First Contact From the Office of the Superintendent

My wife spoke to Jennifer Moody yesterday. Jennifer said she was disappointed that her counterpart was not following up on this story. I emailed her the address of this blog yesterday afternoon.

This morning at approximately 8:20 am, I was contacted by phone by Julie Catala at the Office of the Superintendent. She seemed uninformed regarding this particular complaint, so we spoke briefly regarding the steps that have already been taken.

She wanted to make sure that I was following correct district procedure in resolving my complaint. I assured her that I had already spoken with the school principal, filed a formal written complaint with District 509J, exchanged emails and phone messages with Jim Hogeboom and met personally with Kathy Rodeman. I gave her my email address, and she sent me the following email:

Hello Ron, I appreciate the time you took to talk with me just now. Here are the policy and administrative regulation that outline the process we are undertaking to address the concerns you have.

I understand from our conversation that you have already completed the complaint forms and are interested in appealing Kathy Rodeman’s decision to Superintendent Dawn Tarzian; please verify that for me by replying to this email. Then I’ll be in touch to find some time for you and your wife to meet with Superintendent Tarzian.

If you need to call me directly, my number is xxx-xxxx. I have voicemail, so even if you need to call after hours, you may leave a message for me.

Thank you again; I look forward to hearing from you and assisting you further.

Julie

Julie Catala
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Corvallis School District 509J

These were the attachments:
(1)

CORVALLIS SCHOOL DISTRICT 509J
Code: KL
Adopted: 4/12/99

PUBLIC COMPLAINTS

Complaints are handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible.

Although no community member will be denied the right to petition the Board for redress of a grievance, complaints will be referred through the proper administrative channels for solution before investigation or action by the Board. Exceptions are complaints that concern Board actions or Board operations.

The Board advises the public that the proper channeling of complaints involving instruction, discipline or learning materials is as follows:

1. Teacher;
2. Building principal;
3. Superintendent;
4. Board.

While speakers may during public meetings offer objective criticism of school operations and programs, the Board will not hear personal complaints concerning district personnel nor against any person connected with the school system. To do so could expose the Board to a charge of being party to slander and would prejudice any necessity to act as the final review of administrative recommendations regarding the matter. The Board chairman will direct the patron to the appropriate means for Board consideration and disposition of legitimate complaints involving individuals.

The superintendent shall develop regulations designed to encourage the timely resolution of public complaints while providing a system of review which will allow both the complainant and the district an opportunity to be heard.

END OF POLICY


Legal References:
ORS 192.610—192.690
ORS 332.107
OAR 581-022-1940

Anderson v. Central Point School District No. 6, 554 F. Supp. 600 (D. Oregon 1982); aff'd in part, 746 F.2d 505 (9th Cir. 1984).
Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138 (1983).

Cross Reference:
Policy BDDH - Public Participation

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(2)


CORVALLIS SCHOOL DISTRICT 509J
Code: KL-AR
Adopted: 4/12/99
Revised/Readopted: 8/14/06
PUBLIC COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

The following procedure will be used for all complaints:

1. A student or parent with a complaint shall generally first present it orally and informally to his/her teacher or the appropriate school employee;

2. If the complaint is not resolved, the complainant may formally present the complaint in writing (including all supporting statements and evidence) within 10 working days of the informal conference to the principal. The principal shall evaluate the evidence and render a decision within 10 working days after receiving the appeal;

3. If the complainant deems it desirable to carry the complaint beyond the decision reached by the principal, he/she may, within 10 working days, file the complaint with the superintendent or his/her designee. The superintendent or his/her designee shall evaluate the evidence and render a decision within ten working days after receiving the appeal;

4. If the complainant deems it desirable to carry the complaint beyond the decision reached by the superintendent or his/her designee, he/she may within 10 working days request a review by the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. A final determination shall be made within 20 working days from receipt of the appeal by the Board;

5. Persons may, after exhausting local complaint procedures, appeal in writing to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Time

The number of days given at each level shall be regarded as a maximum and every effort will be made to expedite the process. However, the time limits stated may be extended by mutual agreement of the complainant and the administration.

Withdrawal

A complaint may be withdrawn by the complainant at any level without prejudice, reprisal or record.

Meetings and Decisions

At each of the levels the complainant shall be given the opportunity to be present and to be heard. All decisions at each level shall be in writing and include supporting rationale with the exception of the initial informal contact. Copies of all decisions and recommendations shall be furnished promptly to all parties of interest.
SUGGESTION, COMPLAINT OR COMMENDATION REGARDING AN
EMPLOYEE, PROGRAM, OR PRACTICE

The district is interested in suggestions, complaints, and commendations involving employees or programs. When such is registered, we are interested in investigating the incident to see if there has been a misunderstanding or if some corrective action should be taken to improve the district. Commendations are of value to the district because they improve morale and encourage district employees to take pride in their work and do more than is ordinarily expected of them.

As both complaints and commendations are of value to the district, we welcome comments and request you fill in the information requested below.



Name of Employee/Program Date of Suggestion, Complaint, or Commendation

Nature of Suggestion, Complaint, or Commendation:





Source of your information:



Justification of your feelings:





Remedy sought:





Signed Date Address Telephone


I have read but do not necessarily agree:



Employee Date Immediate Supervisor Date
PUBLIC COMPLAINT PROCEDURE—KL-AR
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I responded with this email:


Julie,

Thank you for the documents regarding district procedure. I have read them both and would like to appeal Kathy Rodeman's decision to the Superintendent.

My contact at the Oregon Department of Education is Mr. Russ Sweet. This is his contact information:

Russ Sweet
Education Specialist, Oregon Reading First
Office of Educational Improvement and Innovation
Oregon Department of Education
255 Capitol Street NE
Salem, Oregon 97310
Desk: (503) xxx-xxxx
Fax: (503) xxx-xxxx
russ.sweet@state.or.us

I have been keeping him informed of all communications that I have made regarding this matter. I have sent a copy of this email to Mr. Sweet. I have also attached the two documents you sent me this morning so that he may have a copy.

Ronald Bjarnason
Corvallis, OR

This was the first time it has been suggested to me that this would go to the School Board. In retrospect, I should have assumed it would go to them eventually.